4 Stocks Spiking on Big Volume

Unusual volume can be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst.

MADISON, Wis. ( Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

From a technical perspective, GM bounced modestly higher here right off some near-term support at $34 with heavy upside volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last four months, with shares soaring higher from its low of $26.19 to its recent high of $35.49. During that move, shares of GM have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move is now quickly pushing shares of GM within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if GM manages to take out its 52-week high at $35.49 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in GM as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $34 to $33.78, and then once it sustains a move or close above its 52-week high at $35.49 with volume that hits near or above 13.47 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then GM will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $40 to $45.